Makeup Artist-Approved: 15 Best Drugstore CC Creams Of 2024
Protect your skin from environmental stress and achieve an even-toned look.
Deepti is a professional makeup artist, licensed barber, men’s groomer, and educator with 8 years of experience in TV, films, commercials, and print. She specializes in makeup, hair, and nail artistry and aims to create a unique character for every client.
Read full bio of Deepti Sadhwani
Experience: 2 yearsOyendrila holds a master's degree in English Literature from the University Of Calcutta, West Bengal, and is a certified skin care coach. As a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience, she writes about everything that the modern woman needs to know about grooming and self-care.
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 3 yearsAsmita De is an associate editor with over three years of experience. She graduated in English Literature from the University of Calcutta. She has collaborated with several digital companies and reputed publishing houses as an editor.
Read full bio of Asmita De
Having the best drugstore CC cream in your vanity kit can solve most of your makeup concerns. If you want to get that flawless makeup base, then try color-correcting creams. These creams are popular among makeup lovers and are suitable for all skin types. The wide range of drugstore CC creams offers multiple skin care benefits like evening out skin tone, moisturizing the skin, and protecting it from environmental stressors. Check our list of the 15 best drugstore CC creams suitable for all skin types. Scroll down for more information.
In This Article
What Is A CC Cream?
A CC cream (also called color correcting cream) is a mixture of a full-coverage foundation and skin care. This whipped lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and conceals pigmentation, redness, and dark spots.
Here is a list of the best drugstore CC creams that are great for any skin type.
15 Best Drugstore CC Creams (2024) For All Skin Types
1. Best Hypoallergenic:Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream
The Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream is a versatile and unique product that will help you correct, protect, and improve the appearance of your skin. The cream is formulated with an active natural total soy complex that helps even out the tone and texture of your skin. The CC cream also has SPF 30 and provides perfect sun protection for your skin. Deepti Sadhwani, a professional makeup artist, says, “Use this cream in addition to sunscreen, especially if you will be spending time in the sun.” If you have a medium skin tone, this cream is perfect for you as it will improve your skin texture and tone and reduce any dullness It is a perfect CC cream for special occasions. The cream is also oil-free and suits oily skin. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. Check out this video detailing a tester’s experience with this product to learn more about it.
Pros
- SPF 30
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Oil-free
Cons
- None
"This moisturizer is exactly what you need if you want good coverage with sun protection. It is easy to apply and also gentle around your eyes. Removing it may need a proper makeup remover. Once you find the proper shade, this cream is a keeper."
Quick Tip2. Best Cruelty-Free:Lune+Aster CC Cream
The Lune+Aster CC Cream is a multi-purpose CC cream that provides medium coverage to your skin. The CC cream comes with SPF 50 sun protection that helps protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. The cream evens out the skin tone and gives a dewy glow to your skin. It has a breathable formula that doesn’t clog your pores. The cream is formulated with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and sea buckthorn. The vitamin E in the cream helps hydrate and protect your skin while hyaluronic acid helps in replenishing the skin. The sea buckthorn in the cream helps in protecting your skin from environmental stressors. This CC cream is vegan, cruelty-free, and free of harmful substances like parabens and phthalates. Additionally, this product is dermatologist-tested and allergy-tested, so is safe for people with sensitive skin. Take a look at this video detailing a tester’s experience with this cream to learn more about it.
Pros
- Wrinkle-smoothing
- Skin rejuvenating
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- None
"The texture of this cream makes it a must-have for everyone’s makeup routine. It is very creamy and easy to blend. It offers sun protection and the texture is not too heavy on the skin."
3. Best Vegan:Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation
The Pacifica Beauty Ultra CC Cream Radiant Foundation is a multi-tasking product that serves as a color-correcting cream, foundation, and sunscreen all in one and offers sheer coverage. It is formulated with 100% physical SPF. This CC cream is designed to provide a radiant and natural finish while also delivering skin care benefits. Its lightweight formula is infused with natural ingredients like coconut water, kelp extract, and ginseng to hydrate, nourish the skin and bring back a youthful glow. The cream is available in many shades to match various skin tones. Check out this video to explore a reviewer’s experience with this cream to understand it better.
Pros
- SPF protection
- Provides good coverage
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- SLS-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
4. Best Long-Lasting:IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is an award-winning product that provides full coverage to your skin. It is expertly crafted by plastic surgeons with dermatologist-tested ingredients. It is infused with an anti-aging serum that helps keep your skin hydrated and youthful. The cream helps reduce the appearance of acne scarring, wrinkles, redness, dark circles, and pores. The cream offers a flawless and luminous finish. It also contains SPF 50 that offers protection from harmful sun rays. The cream is long-lasting and doesn’t crease or crack on your skin.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Anti-aging properties
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 786 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are so in awe of this product.
5. Best Gluten-Free:FARMASi CC Color Control Cream
The FARMASi CC Color Control Cream is a versatile cosmetic product that is designed to enhance the complexion and provide a range of skincare benefits. It is a lightweight cream that is easy to apply and provides a natural look while hydrating and nourishing the skin. The multimineral-enhanced composition helps to make skin more resistant while giving excellent coverage. It also includes sun protection with an SPF of 25, which helps to prevent skin damage from UV rays. The cream is available in many shades to suit different skin tones. It can be used as a standalone product or as a base for other makeup products like concealer or foundation. Its lightweight formula can be worn comfortably all day, without feeling heavy or cakey on the skin.
Pros
- Anti-aging properties
- SPF 25
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben free
- Dermatologically tested
Cons
- Some may find no noticeable effects
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 131 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
6. Best Non-Comedogenic:Spdoo CC Cream
The Spdoo CC cream is great at hiding dark circles, uneven skin tone, pores, and fine lines. This CC cream with hydrating properties helps brighten your skin tone. It comes with a sponge applicator that will help you apply the product evenly and smoothly all over your face. The cream has a breathable formula that will not clog your pores. Many reviewers have testified that this CC cream is moisturizing and reduces skin dryness. It also tightens your skin.
Pros
- Sponge air brush for easy application
- Suitable for medium skin tones
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- None
7. Best All Skin Types:Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream
The Gerovital Mattifying CC Cream helps cover blemishes and evens out the skin tone. It gives a flawless finish to your face. Although the cream is perfect for all skin types, it is especially beneficial for people with oily skin. The CC cream delivers exceptional results by reducing the appearance of acne and acne scars. The product is paraben-free and dermatologically-tested.
Pros
- Good for pore minimizing
- Paraben-free
- Dermatologically-tested
Cons
- None
Pro Tip8. Best With SPF:Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer
The Honest Beauty CCC Clean Corrective tinted moisturizer is an award-winning formula, which moisturizes, protects, and corrects the skin in one step. The product has an extensive shade range, catering from fair to dark skin tones. It has allantoin which helps soothe and moisturize skin and vitamin C which helps in improving the overall appearance of uneven skin tone. This dermatologist-tested formula is packed with mineral sunscreen with SPF30, which provides defense against blue light. This tinted moisturizer color corrects and diffuses the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and pores to give a smooth and radiant complexion. It is available in 9 different shades which can complement different skin tones.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Blue light defense
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Not easy to blend
"This lightweight cream moistures the skin and provides excellent coverage. The added sun protection and tint only make it more appealing! If your skin is very dry, you can apply a coat of moisturizer and then apply this cream."
9. Best Illuminating Finish:Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream
The Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream is a high-definition, skin-perfecting cream. It is packed with skincare heroes like honey, vitamin E, and Centella Asiatica extract, which boosts radiance and hydration and refines skin texture. This lightweight formula has encapsulated pigments that act as a high-definition illuminator and help in hiding fine lines and blemishes and enhance the skin tone and texture. It also has SPF 25 which gives UV protection to the skin. This multi-purpose Korean CC cream is available in 3 shades that adjust according to your skin tone.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- None
"This cream is ideal for everyday wear. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It makes a good natural base for makeup. It has a hint of SPF, but it is better to wear sunscreen on it. It works well even for those with sensitive skin."
10. Best Hydrating:Olay Total Effects CC Cream
The Olay Total Effects CC Cream is a nourishing and hydrating product that provides a healthy glow to your face. The CC cream has a lightweight formula that blends well into your skin and doesn’t make your face feel greasy. It moisturizes, evens skin tone, and smoothens out fine lines and wrinkles. Many reviewers have testified that this color-corrector cream also minimizes the appearance of pores, restores skin firmness, and reduces the appearance of dark spots. This CC cream for everyday use also contains SPF 15 that provides protection against harmful UV rays.
Pros
- Anti-aging properties
- Color correction benefits
- Lightweight formula
- Blendable formula
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions
11. Best For Glowing Skin:Lumene CC Cream
The Lumene CC Cream is a moisturizing makeup product that has a creamy texture. It offers buildable coverage, so you can either achieve full or light coverage with it. The formula also leaves your skin with a natural glow. The cream helps correct discoloration and redness on your face, providing you with a statement-making, flawless finish. The cream has SPF 20 that will provide protection against UV rays. The cream is formulated with pure arctic spring water and wild cloudberry seed extract that provides hydration and brightens your complexion. Many reviewers agree that this CC cream is long-lasting and it imparts a semi-matte finish.
Pros
- Buildable coverage
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May cause allergies in some
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received over 841 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
12. Best Gentle Formula:Physicians Formula CC Cream
The Physicians Formula CC Cream is formulated with color-correcting pigments and anti-aging ingredients. The cream has a gentle formula that is suitable for all skin types and minimizes redness on your skin. The expertly crafted cream is super hydrating and also provides protection from sun damage. It is hypoallergenic and great for sensitive skin. The cream also reduces the appearance of age spots, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles while evening out your skin tone.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Anti-aging properties
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Not easy to blend
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 820 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
13. Best For Skin Imperfections:Mary Kay CC Cream
The Mary Kay CC Cream is a multi-functional cosmetic product that is designed to provide coverage, hydration, and sun protection all in one, resulting in a natural glow. It is a lightweight cream that is easy to apply and provides natural-looking coverage while also being nourishing for the skin. The cream also helps to reduce the appearance of redness, dark spots, and other imperfections on the skin. It is suitable for all dark, medium, and fair skin tones. It also works well for all skin types, even acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- SPF 15
- Good coverage
Cons
- May cause allergies in some
"This cream is a part of my everyday makeup routine. It is lightweight and doesn’t feel cakey. It lasts all day on the skin, even if you have an active lifestyle. I also like the coverage. Once you like the perfect shade, it's a keeper."
14. Best Pore Minimizing:Neutrogena SkinClearing Complexion Perfector
The Neutrogena SkinClearing Complexion Perfector is the perfect solution for achieving a flawless and clear complexion. It is fortified with salicylic acid that helps unclog pores and helps treat and prevent acne breakouts. This lightweight formula from the expert-recommended brand provides natural coverage and evens out the skin tone, reducing the appearance of blemishes. It blends well with the skin giving a matte and natural finish that lasts all day.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- Helps in evening out skin tone
- Blends easily
Cons
- None
"This cream is an absolute multi-tasker. The coverage and sun protection is very impressive. It gives a natural glow without being sticky or heavy on the skin. What I like best is that removing it is easy, just water is good enough for removing it."
15. Best For Even-Toned Skin:Osmosis Skincare CC Cream
The Osmosis Skincare CC Cream is a lightweight formula that helps even out your skin tone. The cosmetics CC cream is super hydrating and is expertly crafted with true-tone technology. This technology helps ensure that the shade matches your natural skin tone when applied.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Helps in covering blemishes
- Matches natural skin tone
Cons
- None
These are the top 15 drugstore CC creams that suit all skin types. In the next section, we briefly look into the benefits of a CC cream.
What Are The Benefits Of A CC Cream?
- It conceals dark spots and other skin imperfections.
- It is lightweight and not heavy like a foundation.
- It hydrates and nourishes the skin.
- It adds a youthful glow to the skin.
- Some CC creams have anti-aging ingredients to smoothen and reduce the signs of aging.
- It protects the skin from photodamage.
Before you make your purchase, here is what you need to look for in a CC cream. We have included a checklist in the next section for you.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A CC Cream?
- Skin Type: Choose a CC cream that suits your skin type. Applying a CC cream that’s too oily on oily skin or combination skin can cause breakouts and will make you look greasy and sweaty. Similarly, an oil-control CC cream on dry skin can make your skin flaky and lifeless.
- SPF: A good CC cream should contain SPF, or sun protection factor, of at least 15. CC creams with broad-spectrum sunscreen help protect the skin from further sun damage.
- Coverage: Depending on your needs, the CC cream should have light to buildable full coverage. CC creams for redness correction are more pigmented to conceal dark spots, redness, pigmentation, and to even out the skin tone. Also opting for CC creams with long-lasting coverage ensures there’s less need for frequent touch-ups .
- Hydrating And Nourishing Properties: CC creams are not moisturizers. But they should be hydrating enough for your skin and must contain natural ingredients like vitamin E to keep your skin nourished and supple.
- Skin Texture: CC creams are meant for all skin types, irrespective of age and sex. If you have mature skin, choose a CC cream that contains hyaluronic acid and other anti-aging ingredients to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. If you have open pores, choose CC creams with a mattifying effect that contain dimethicone to reduce the pores.
- Lightweight: Choose a CC cream that is lightweight and has a smooth texture. It should not feel heavy and cakey.
Wondering how to apply a CC cream? We have discussed the steps in the next section.
How To Apply A CC Cream?
- Step 1: Start by cleansing your face with a cleanser and apply your regular moisturizer all over your face.
- Step 2: Take a small amount of the CC cream on the palm of your hand and apply the cream all over your face with your fingers. You can also use the cream on particular areas where you want maximum coverage.
- Step 3: With the help of a beauty blender or brush, blend the product on your face.
- Step 4: Apply more cream if you feel like some areas need more coverage.
- Step 5: Go on with the rest of your makeup routine as usual. If you decide you need more coverage, you can also apply some foundation.
There are few things that you should keep in mind about a CC cream. We have discussed them below.
Things To Remember Before Buying A CC Cream
- It’s not sunscreen. You will still need to apply a layer of sunscreen before applying a CC cream. Here is a list of sunscreens for acne-prone skin.
- It may not add superior hydration. CC creams for mature skin, in general, control oil. If you have dry skin, do not expect to get a super hydrating effect from a CC cream.
- An anti-aging CC cream does not reverse aging. CC creams with anti-aging benefits certainly protect your skin from UV damage and premature skin aging. It also smooths out fine lines and wrinkles. But it does not reverse aging.
- It is not a skin care solution for acne-prone skin. CC cream for acne-prone skin is NOT an acne treatment. You need to see a dermatologist and get the right acne treatment.
- CC creams are different from BB or DD creams. All three look like any other tinted moisturizer. But they are not so. Here’s the difference between the three.
Infographic: Dos And Don’ts Of Applying A Drugstore CC Cream
CC creams help hide uneven spots and create a flawless base for your makeup. You need to master the application to get the desired coverage and finish. In the infographic below, we have listed a few dos and don’ts of applying these creams to achieve a natural and radiant look. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Drugstore CC creams have good popularity among makeup enthusiasts! These affordable CC creams deliver exceptional results in providing maximum sun protection and helping to improve skin texture. The Aveeno Positively Radiant CC Cream contains a soy complex that evens out the skin tone. On the other hand, the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream offers a broad spectrum of protection, making it an excellent choice for daily use. The Erborian Color Correcting CC Cream has color-correcting properties that improve skin texture. Drugstore CC creams with dewy finish are oil-free and hypoallergenic, which ensures users that they are perfect for sensitive skin types as well. CC creams with the tendency to hydrate your skin and rejuvenate the deeper layers of your skin are the best of the lot. CC creams providing a stunning glow to your face are additional advantages. Overall, it is better to avoid CC creams that don’t come with anti-aging properties. Remember to read the reviews before making a purchase to get the best worth of your money. Also, conduct a patch test before using the product daily to detect allergic reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use a moisturizer if I use a CC cream?
Yes, you can use a moisturizer before you apply a CC cream. Although CC cream is a mix of moisturizer and foundation, using a moisturizer beforehand can only offer you more benefit.
Do I need to wear a primer with CC cream?
Yes, primer is a must if you want your makeup to last long. Hence, wearing a primer with a CC cream is often recommended.
Can a CC cream be worn daily?
Yes, a CC cream can be worn daily. Since the cream contains moisturizer and SPF, using it daily is advisable.
Is it OK to use CC cream every day?
Yes, it is ok to use CC cream daily as it has SPF and is lightweight and non-greasy.
How do you apply CC cream perfectly?
Buildable coverage CC creams can be easily applied using your fingertips, brush, or a makeup sponge, to evenly blend the product into your skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach. She has compiled a list of the best CC creams you should have in your vanity. She goes by the motto, “having great skin shouldn’t break the bank.”. So, following an intensive review of every product review on the market, she assembled a comprehensive and detailed list of the top drugstore CC creams. These are suitable for all skin types, and they provide skin with moisture, combat environmental damage, and help even out skin tone.
Read full bio of Deepti Sadhwani
Read full bio of Oyendrila Kanjilal
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Asmita De
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